The morning sun crept through the windows of the palace, casting a warm glow over the faces of its inhabitants. Prince Damian, now fully embracing his new role as a member of the elf family, woke up with a newfound sense of purpose.
He was determined to make the most of his time with his new family and was met with nothing but love and acceptance from King Aerin and Queen Estel.
His new brother, Prince Logon, was also overjoyed at the prospect of having a sibling. Meanwhile, Princess Aeryn was less thrilled but still found herself warming to Prince Damian. He was kind-hearted and didn't pick on her like Prince Logon sometimes did.
As they sat down to breakfast, King Aerin turned to Prince Logon with a question. "Son, do you want to try to use your powers today?"
Prince Logon's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes please, dad! Yes, yes, yes!"
But Queen Estel disagreed. "No, honey. It's way too early for him to try."
Prince Logon was about to argue, but Queen Safira interjected. "Your mother is right, Logon. You just got your spiritual awakening, so your soul is like... hmmm, what's a good way to describe it, Queen Safira?"
Queen Safira thought for a moment before answering. "Prince Logon, when you first started track running, what happened?"
"I could only do a lap at maximum before being tired," Prince Logon replied.
Queen Safira clapped her hands together. "Exactly, little one. You ran a lap and were exhausted. Now, how many can you do?"
Prince Logon's face broke into a wide grin. "Six laps now!"
As Queen Safira sipped on her juice, she looked at Prince Logon and spoke, "Do you remember a few days ago, when you were like this empty glass in front of me? An empty vessel with no real power. But now, look at you, filled with so much power, my little one." She gestured towards the glass as she poured more juice into it.
Prince Logon looked confused, "I still don't understand why."
Drac, sensing his confusion, decided to explain, "What Queen Safira is trying to say is that your body and mind aren't used to the powers you have inside you, Prince Logon."
The prince furrowed his brows, "So how do I get used to it then?"
The group let out a chuckle at his unsatisfied expression.
Queen Estel smiled at him, "Son, don't get us wrong, you can use your powers if you want to, but something is going to happen that you won't like."
Princess Aeryn, who had been listening in, interjected, "I don't get it. You all said brother can't use his powers, and now you're saying he can. Which is it?"
Drac gently patted her head, "Little princess, it's not that we're telling him he can't. It's just that we're giving him a warning, one we all got the hard way when we first tried magic. So it's completely up to him if he wants to try magic. But if he's smart, he'll understand what we're warning him about."
The princess turned to her brother, "So, brother, do you understand then?"
Prince Logon shook his head, eliciting another round of laughter from the group.
King Aerin, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, "So son, again I ask do you want to try using your powers?"
Without hesitation, Prince Logon nodded his head excitedly, "Of course!"
"Then let's go outside to the courtyard and try some magic," the king stood up and the rest of the group followed suit.
As they made their way outside, Princess Aeryn couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy towards her brother. But Prince Damian, noticing her discontent, reassured her, "At least you'll get abilities in four years. And I'm sure you'll get better ones."
Princess Aeryn smiled, "Do you think so?"
Prince Damian nodded with a smile, "Plus, guess what we get to do today."
The princess thought for a moment, "I don't know."
As Prince Logon prepared to use magic, Prince Damian couldn't help but laugh and say, "Watch brother make an ass out of himself."
Princess Aeryn joined in on the laughter, but Queen Safira scolded them, "Prince Damian that's not very nice you should be cheering him on."
Feeling guilty, Prince Damian apologized, "Sorry Queen Safira, I'll cheer brother on I'm sure he will do great...but he didn't understand your warning!!!"
Queen Safira, Uncle Drac, and Princess Aeryn all looked at Prince Damian in disbelief. Queen Safira decided to clear things up quickly, "Damian darling did you understand our warning?"
Prince Damian nodded his head and continued to watch Prince Logon.
Uncle Drac, curious, asked, "Damian would you please explain to us then?"
Prince Damian looked at Uncle Drac and explained, "Weren't you both trying to tell him that his body can't handle powers right now... simply put he's going to try to run a lap...but what's gonna happen his body is gonna run a marathon."
Queen Safira was impressed, "Damian darling how did you grasp that, I mean I am very impressed with you young man."
Prince Damian shrugged, "It was very simple Safira if you think about it...so Prince Logon said he was exhausted after one lap why his stamina was depleted..now though he can run more with no problem. So to put it simply he's going to try using his power and something is gonna go wrong right."
Princess Aeryn, confused, asked Uncle Drac, "Uncle Drac is this true?"
Uncle Drac, still in shock, stared at Prince Damian for a moment before turning to Princess Aeryn, "Yes he is correct, little one. See Prince Logon lacks control. Losing control of a punch destructive force can hurt allies....but control your punch and you deal 100% damage to your enemies instead, right now Prince Logon hasn't got any control, he's about to go full steam exhausting himself."
As Prince Damian turned around, he asked Queen Safira, "So you can run out of power?"
Drac twisted his hand and replied, "Yes and no. You see, when you get older, you condition your body to hold more energy. See Queen Safira, could fight another God for 5 years without stopping. Why? Because her body can use power and absorb more energy while fighting."
Prince Damian looked at her with wide eyes and exclaimed, "Safira, you can do that?"
Queen Safira laughed and said, "What do you mean can I? I already have and it was 6 years. Drac, get your facts right... I would have ended it sooner, but he was fun to hurt and deserved it."
Prince Damian smiled at Queen Safira, "Truly remarkable, Safira. Who did you fight?"
Queen Safira smirked, "Fenris piece of shit father. It ended with him running for the hills, with his tail between his ass. No joke." She then winks at Prince Damian.
Drac interrupted, "Shhhh... here it comes."
A few minutes earlier, Prince Logon's father, King Logon, had instructed him, "Son, I need you to close your eyes, feel the ground at your feet, smell the air, listen to the sounds around you, feel the sweat on your skin, and tell me what you sense around you."
Prince Logon did as he was told and closed his eyes. After 10 minutes, he opened them and said, "I can feel the energy around me, it's like a blanket. It's trying to enter my body, but for some reason, it can't. I feel the air touching my skin, it's wet and welcoming."
King Logon nodded and continued, "Good job. That blanket is spiritual energy. The reason it can't enter is that you aren't out of energy. See, the trick to using powers for a long time is to use a little while filling a little at the same time, use a lot then take a lot. But, you didn't listen to our warning, so you're going to learn. Now, I need you to try to make the wind blow in a direction of your choice."
Prince Logon asked, "How do I do that?"
King Logon replied, "You feel the wind touching and blowing past your skin, now imagine this, the wind coming down your arm as you want to throw a punch."
Prince Logon concentrated and tried to feel the wind circling his arm. After a while, he felt the wind understanding he wanted to move it, so he tried to throw a punch, but nothing happened.
King Logon added, "Don't force it. You remember that feeling when you were the wind, right? The wind blew in its direction, the trees couldn't stop it and nothing could accept the water. Imagine yourself flowing like that."
Prince Logon remembered the feeling of blowing and travelling like the wind. He felt the spiritual energy in the wind and how it moves. He then pictured the wind hitting the waterfall with full force and punching forward.
As Drac stood in the background, he murmured, "Shhhhh here it comes."
Suddenly, a massive wind vortex flew out of his hand and smashed the wall he was facing. King Aerin quickly caught him as he fell to the ground.
Drac chuckles to Prince Damian, " Hahaha, what did I tell you? Control. He tried to mimic the windstorm. Rookie mistake."
Princess Aeryn couldn't stop laughing as she watched the scene unfold. Queen Estel shot her a stern look, "Your day will come, don't be grumpy when your brother laughs at you." Princess Aeryn quickly shut her mouth.
Prince Damian looked to Drac for answers, "Uncle Drac, what should he have done then?"

Drac thought for a moment, "Hmmm...being so young and his soul is only 83%, then he should have tried a simple flick of the finger or something even simpler like exhaling a simple breath of air with force."
"I see. How long will he be out for?" Prince Damian asked.
"30 minutes tops, I rate. It was an impressive show of force. If that wall wasn't protected by a formation, it would have had a fist-size hole through it. No joke. Someone at his rank would be hurt badly. Someone stronger than him could easily fly away with broken ribs," Drac explained.
"Wow, big brother is very impressive then. So young and could handle that with no major side effects," Prince Damian said in awe.
Drac nodded, "For his age, that was genius level."
Queen Safira touched Prince Damian's head, "But Damian darling, you fail to understand something?"
Drac pointed at Prince Logon, "Look at him, Damian. What's wrong?"
Prince Damian and Princess Aeryn looked at Prince Logon, still in King Aerin's arms. Queen Estel checked his vitals.
"Uhmmm, I don't know uncle Drac. What is it?" Prince Damian asked.
"He used up all his power. Right now, he's out cold and vulnerable to any attack. Imagine if he did that in a fight. What then?" Drac explained.
Prince Damian's eyes widened in realization, "He would be dead, wouldn't he? Being completely drained would leave him at the mercy of his attacker unless he beat them."
Queen Safira held Prince Damian closely, "You see sweetheart, you need to pick your fights or know when to run from them. You are weaker here, so Emmortals will be able to hurt you."
As Prince Damian looked upon Queen Safira, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. "I see, Safira," he began, "so you're trying to warn me that I'm at a major disadvantage here, aren't I?"
Drac, with a sad expression, nodded. "Yes, son. Unfortunately, you are. You will end up like Prince Logon, using up all of your power much faster."
Prince Damian let out a sigh. "Thanks for the warning. I'll make sure I don't end up like my brother then."
Queen Safira leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Good, darling. Make sure you keep safe, alright?"
He nodded, and the group waited in silence for the next 30 minutes.
As Prince Logon struggled to catch his breath, he muttered, "Ahhh, what happened? My head hurts badly, mom."
King Aerin, with a concerned look, replied, "You used up all your power, son. We tried to warn you, but unfortunately, you didn't heed our warning."
Prince Logon furrowed his brows. "Did sister laugh at me? I swear I heard her..."
"You bet she did," King Aerin chimed in. "Now, sit and close your eyes. Welcome, that blanket in. You're only at a quarter power level."
Prince Logon did as he was told, feeling the energy soak into his body. After 10 minutes, he fully recovered.
Prince Damian looked on in amazement. "Wow, that was an impressive recovery rate. Normal souls would take 40 minutes to be fully recharged from that."
Drac explained, "Comprehension helped him. Being young and at 83%, nearly into the next Emmortal level, normal souls would only be at 30% maximum, at most."
Queen Safira, who had been sitting and stroking Prince Damian's hair, added, "He's also in his element, Prince Damian. Right now, his main powers are nature-based. He would find it harder in the desert or space... well, right now, the plants are helping him."
Prince Damian raised an eyebrow. "Wait, why is a hot environment not part of nature? Technically, plants need sun."
Queen Safira let out a small giggle. "Hehehe, smart. It is, unfortunately, a dark nature side. Fire is a destructive force of nature, while air and water are calming."
"So, he would do badly in a flame environment?" Prince Damian inquired.
"Exactly, kid. Always choose your battles that suit your powers the best," Drac added, giving him a thumbs up.
Kiron chimed in, "But also remember, your enemies will too, kid, and they will be better."
Prince Damian pondered for a moment. "So, how would my brother fight in an environment that's not suited to him?"
Drac replied, "Two ways, kid. Number one, weapons and combat mastery. Power isn't everything. Number two, he learns to control the power better by understanding it more. Ground power is strong, but earth power dominates it."
Prince Damian nodded, understanding. "I see. So, combat training will help a weaker soul have a chance?"
Queen Safira nodded, pulling him into a cuddle. "Hehehe, yes, darling. If you learn to handle weapons better, you will have a much better fighting chance."
With a charming smile, Prince Damian declared, "Then I shall hone my skills with weapons, so that I may have a fighting chance." He clenched his fist, determination etched on his handsome face.
"That's the attitude, young one," Drac grinned at him. "I'll help you train, but -"
"No!" Queen Safira interjected, shooting Drac a glare. "He is not yet of age for your training methods."
"Please, Safira," Prince Damian implored, his eyes pleading. "I must do this."
The queen let out a sigh. "I shall consider it," she relented.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Prince Damian embraced her. "Thank you," he whispered.
Meanwhile, Prince Logon spent the afternoon tirelessly attempting to harness the power of the wind. He collapsed six times and turned deathly pale thirteen times, but by the end of the day, he had finally succeeded in manipulating a ball of air.
His elation was palpable, and he impressed all who witnessed his incredible aptitude for learning. But Princess Aeryn could not help but seethe with envy and jealousy at her brother's accomplishments.